The Ultimate Roster Revealed: Kingdom Hearts 4's Epic Lineup of Returning Disney Characters!

The highly anticipated Kingdom Hearts 4 was revealed a year ago, promising to be the most ambitious installment in the franchise. Director Testsuya Nomura takes protagonist Sora on a captivating journey through the realistic world of Quadratum, incorporating noteworthy ideas from previous games. Despite deviating from its traditional branding, Kingdom Hearts 4 remains true to its crossover nature by including beloved characters from the Disney universe.

Quadratum is a stark departure from familiar locations such as Hercules' Olympus and The Little Mermaid's Atlantica. However, it was briefly introduced at the conclusion of Kingdom Hearts 3 as the domain of Verum Rex's Yozora. This Shibuya recreation has sparked groundbreaking theories within the Kingdom Hearts community. By incorporating elements from the canceled Final Fantasy Versus 13 project that Nomura held close to his heart, the new direction of Kingdom Hearts merges different visions of the series director into an innovative crossover experience. While it may initially appear that the Disney magic is absent in this scenario, the game's announcement has already confirmed the inclusion of the iconic Disney characters.

Donald and Goofy Maintain the Spirit of Kingdom Hearts

Donald and Goofy, longtime companions of Sora throughout his adventures, make a surprise appearance at the end of the reveal trailer for Kingdom Hearts 4. This scene showcases the game's commitment to its more lighthearted tone. It is likely that they are searching for Sora, who disappeared at the end of the Melody of Memory spin-off's canon story. Similarly, Mickey may still be wandering in Scala ad Caelum, despite not being seen recently. Since the events of Kingdom Hearts 3 and Sora's last appearance in the series, at least a year has passed, leaving the Disney kingdom's experiences during this time unknown.

The trailer suggests that Donald and Goofy will embark on a mission to find Sora in Quadratum or wherever he may be. However, there is more to their brief scene than initially meets the eye. While Sora and Strelitzia from Union Cross are depicted in Kingdom Hearts 4's new photorealistic art style, Donald and Goofy maintain their Kingdom Hearts 3 aesthetic. According to Nomura's interview with Famitsu, this aligns with the concept that the realistic style is specific to Quadratum. Therefore, it is possible that Donald and Goofy may receive updated appearances if they do indeed reunite with their friend in Shibuya.

Hades and his Underworld's New Presence

In the darkness, a distinctive voice and a blue flame can only belong to the sassy god of the dead, Hades, who is known to Hercules. In a comedic moment that concludes the trailer, Donald and Goofy appear frightened, but this particular scene may hold more significance than initially perceived. As they navigate through the darkness, Donald utters, "I wonder where he is," leading many to assume he is referring to Sora. However, Goofy's subsequent line, "I don't know, but I sure hope he can help," implies that the person they are seeking is someone else entirely.

While some fans may have speculated that Donald and Goofy were searching for Hades, their terrified reaction suggests otherwise. In line with the lore from previous games, Sora's memorable ally was none other than Auron, a beloved character from Final Fantasy 10. Despite having a brief appearance, Auron remains a fan favorite due to his edgy appearance and stoic personality as an inhabitant of the Underworld. However, he has been largely forgotten in recent years, as the series has focused more on Disney and original characters. While certain Disney icons will make a return in the upcoming title, it seems that Kingdom Hearts could be veering back towards its Final Fantasy roots.

Kingdom Hearts 4 is currently in development.